Spending time outdoors is great for a senior’s mental and physical health. In addition to moving around and increasing their heart rate when they go outside, the sunshine can also help seniors produce enough vitamin D to keep their bones strong and organs healthy. Here are five great activities for seniors who want some fresh air.
1. Garden Parties
Seniors who regularly interact with peers and loved ones have much lower rates of depression, anxiety, and dementia. A garden party is a great opportunity to spend some time with friends in a safe and comfortable environment. Seniors who want to tap into their inner children can have themed garden parties where they can dress up and have exotic foods. They can also try out new yard games each week to get a little exercise and stretch their muscles.
Seniors living with medical conditions or limited mobility may find it difficult to stay active, but a professional caregiver can provide the encouragement and assistance they need. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Align Home Care, a trusted provider of respite care Kennebunk seniors can depend on.
2. Outdoor Theater
Most towns have venues for outdoor plays and concerts. Going to such events can enhance a senior’s mental health, and music also offers many psychological benefits. Many senior centers put on shows free of charge for locals when the weather is pleasant. Speak with the production company or the organization that owns the venue to see if they offer seniors free transportation to the venue.
3. Gardening & Landscaping
Small gardening kits, which can be purchased for a few dollars, have many of the supplies your loved one will need to start growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Seniors who are finding it difficult to grow anything can call their local nurseries to see if they need to add anything to the soil. Specialists at the nurseries can offer guidance on when certain seeds should be planted and how often plants must be watered.
Outdoor activities are a wonderful way for seniors to remain active and enhance their health. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them attain this goal. Families can trust home care service experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living longer and healthier lives.
4. Birdwatching
This is an exciting and challenging pastime that allows seniors to set and accomplish goals. Most cities are home to hundreds of different species of birds, and birdwatchers generally try to identify as many local birds as possible just after the nesting season. One of the easiest ways to start birdwatching is to head to the library and get a book by a local ornithologist. Seniors who are comfortable using computers can also find worksheets to identify local birds.
5. Catching a Baseball or Football Game
Many older adults feel young again while watching their favorite baseball or football teams. While some of these games can get loud, most stadiums and fields have sections for older spectators and families with children. Heading to a game is the perfect opportunity for grandparents and their grandchildren to spend time with one another and bond over their favorite teams.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs assistance to enjoy outdoor activities. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. Kennebunk families can rely on Align Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. To learn more about our premier in-home care plans, call us at (207) 835-3490 today.